ROCKFORD - Headed in to today's NIC-10 wrestling meet at Jefferson with only six wrestlers, and uncharacteristically empty at the heavier weights, the Freeport wrestling team still has what head coach Anthony Dedmond considers title contenders at multiple spots.

"This is my 10th year, and I've always had a good heavyweight or someone up there. Not this year," Dedmond said. "This is a rebuilding year, and we've got nobody above 138 and just six total. But the guys we're putting out there will fight for everything. We've got some kids who can make a run."

One of those is junior Austin Anderson (22-3), who is ranked 10th in the state in the latest Class 2A poll at 106, although three other wrestlers at that weight in the league have 18 or more wins. Nothing will come easy, but Dedmond likes the mindset his small but hard-working team has.

"Some of the younger kids have to get rid of that shell-shocked feeling," Dedmond said. "But lack of numbers won't hold this group back."

Seniors Ryan Angell (8-15 at 132) and Allan Hornung (7-11 at 138), sophomore Jarid Stimpert (17-10 at 120) as well as freshmen Darren Sims (14-13 at 113) and Tyler Matthews (4-8 at 126) will also see if they can build some momentum headed into next week's regionals.

Hononegah is the heavy favorite to win the team title. The Indians are 21-3 in duals, and are ranked fourth in the state at the Class 3A level.

Wrestling will kick off at 9 a.m. at Jefferson with the finals expected to begin at 3 p.m. Next weekend the conference teams will split up into 2A and 3A regional brackets.